Abstract
To understand the chlorophyll-a distribution in the neritic waters of the northern Indian Ocean, which comprises the Arabian Sea on the west and the Bay of Bengal on the east, seawater samples were collected during early north-east monsoon season (November, 2008). The column integrated chlorophyll-a over the Arabian Sea and the North Bay of Bengal exhibit high concentrations. However, the southernmost station (0806) shows enhanced chlorophyll-a concentration compared to other stations in the south Bay (0807, 0808 and 0809). This is attributed to eddy pumping of nutrients from subsurface to surface waters of the Bay during the study period due to cyclonic conditions. This observation is further supported by the lack of nutrients in the surface waters at the other stations from the south Bay compared to the station 0806, which has high nutrient concentrations. The observed salinity in the Bay of Bengal shows a strong north-south gradient with higher salinity in the southern part of the Bay. The supply of nutrients through fluvial input (that is, dominantly from the northern region) is insignificant. The enhanced chlorophyll-a concentration over the farthest station (0806) can be either due to Eddy mediated biological production or lateral advective transport of nutrients. Key words: Chlorophyll-a, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, GEOTRACES, Eddies.
Highlights
The northern Indian Ocean (NIO) is a unique geographical location, comprising the Arabian Sea on its western side and the Bay of Bengal on the east, with seasonal reversal of winds (North-East and South-West)
Water samples were collected for the dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, nutrients, salinity, pH and alkalinity using a Sea-Bird Electronics CTD rosette system, equipped with 12-L Niskin bottles
For alkalinity measurement, pH meter is combined with Dosimat auto-titrator (Meterohm) and titrated with 0.01 N HCl to pH 4.3 (HCO3endpoint)
Summary
The northern Indian Ocean (NIO) is a unique geographical location, comprising the Arabian Sea on its western side and the Bay of Bengal on the east, with seasonal reversal of winds (North-East and South-West). These two basins distinctly differ in their physical and chemical properties. The Arabian Sea is a negative water.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
